President says he has reposed trust in the Public Service

Jan 8, 2011 10:40:44 AM - itnnews.lk

President Rajapaksa has said that the trust placed in the security forces in saving the country has been placed in public servants in building the country. The President was addressing a ceremony organized at Temple Trees.

The President said that it is the people who pay all of them. As such, everything had to be done for their welfare. They should be ready to wipe out the tears of the people. The problem should be looked through their angle. The President told the gathering that if their father, mother or brother had to face a problem after meeting a public official and had to visit him about 10 times, query what their feelings would be. No one wishes to waste time. He said he had witnessed such things on several occasions. There are many queues in public offices. Some had brought their lunch packets, but cannot meet the official. They have come from distant places such as Batticaloa, Ampara and Hambantota. He had received such complaints and it was found that these were true. He queried as to who the public will chastise. The public service should be sensitive to these problems. It is the innocent who is battered by such things. The innocent people are afraid to approach a politician as they are more frightened to do so. He appealed to the public servants to work on behalf of the people.

The presentation of awards and certificates to District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats which won ISO 9001/2008 International Standards certificates were presented at Temple Trees under the patronage of the President. Awards were presented to the Hambantota, Kalutara and Colombo District Secretariats and the Balapitiya, Nagoda, Ambalangoda, Gangabada-Korale, Homagama, Kaduwela, Kolonnawa, Maharagama, Kesbewa, Padukka, Thimbirigasyaya, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, Dehiwela, Moratuwa, Seetawaka, Hanwella, Ratmalana and Colombo Divisional Secretariat Divisions. The District Secretaries who were honoured, presented mementos to the President.

Giving his views, Minister W.D.J Seneviratne said today they witnessed productivity and efficiency in the public service. This should be further continued. As such, the Minister said he was making a fervent appeal from every public servant to make optimum use of the resources available and provide an immediate service to the public.

President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratuna told the public servants to consider that it was the innocent people who approach them. It is in their hands the problems of the people lie. A Divisional Secretary cannot tell the people that it is not their duty. They were discharging a duty closely associated with the public. He said he was making a request from them to discharge their duties as it is they who can make the aspirations of the President to make the country Asia’s miracle.

Members of the Maha Sangha, Parliamentarians and officials were present.